Maureen Mathews, APN

"I've wanted to be a nurse since I was a little girl.  My mom was an inspiration.

"Working here at OSF, we are able to focus on the person as whole being, mental, spiritual and physical.  My passion is education, helping people stay healthy or if they do have risk factors, educating to prevent their condition from worsening.

Many might assume that stroke primarily targets the elderly. Not so, according to Maureen. "We see all age groups, and more and more young people are having strokes. Health conditions leading to increased stroke risk are becoming more prominent in childhood and young adulthood. "What is dramatically on the rise is the incidence of diabetes and high blood pressure. The effects of these conditions are increasingly seen in people in their thirties and forties, a time when they might not be concerned about preventative healthcare.  

"I just can't emphasize the importance of stroke education.  It puts people in control of their own lives and health.

"If patients do need care, they will find quality service with the INI. We have superb providers, nurses and rehab specialists, wonderful support services, as well as state of the art care. "Everything from imaging and endovascular interventions to medicine and surgery."